Montgomery Messenger, April 8, 2021 • 9 2021 Tri-City United Spring Sports Preview : One team, one mission Head : Bruce Davis, 2021 season outlook 35th year as head baseball The Titans’ goal this year coach is to get better each and every week during the season and Changes? be playing their best baseball Practice started on March in June when the playoffs roll 29. We have had very good around. practices so far. The kids are Belle Plaine is the favorite getting better each and every to win the MRC and the Sec- day. We are all very excited tion this spring, but there are about this baseball season. a number of teams including the Titans who could give the Areas of strength Tigers a run by the of the The Titans will be strong season. defensively this spring. If we The loss of the 2020 sea- throw strikes and play good son took away a chance for we will be in all the players at all levels to games this spring. get better as baseball players. Yes we lost a lot of games, Key players (seniors) but more importantly we lost - Kayden Factor will be baseball practice every day. the only player that TCU has Practice is where players get with any varsity experience. better, and it is like starting Kayden started at as a over now. freshman and sophomore and will be a team leader. Roster - Brody Rud will be a team Seniors: Dom Miland, leader and play in the outfield Collin Barnett, Brody Rud, and first base. Reece Weydert, Kayden Fac- - Collin Barnett will pitch tor and be a key defensive player Juniors: Jayson Macho, for the team. Brendan O’Keefe - Reece Wydert will be a Sophomores: Chris John- utility player for the Titans. son, Carter O’Malley, Jud He will be asked to play a Submitted Photo Narum number of positions. The seniors on the TCU Baseball Team this season are (from left) Reece Weydert, Dominick Miland, Collin Barnett, Freshmen: Dylan Wester- - Dom Miland is starting Brody Rud, and Kayden Factor. man, Max Krautkremer. out the season with an arm injury, but with some rehab, the team hopes to get him back at some point this sea- 2019 recap and covid perience. We only have one game experience this TCU working very hard and every- son. With a year off due to CO- player who has seen varsity Titans team could be very one is very excited about the VID, the 2021 Titans lack ex- action. With hard work and successful. These kids are season. 10 • Montgomery Messenger, April 8, 2021 2021 Tri-City United Spring Sports Preview : Teams have new passion: Come back stronger in 2021 Head coach: Kelly Jo Closs- the summer, fall and winter er, first year coaching varsity leagues. high school (seven years as I will say that it also cre- program director for Titans ated a new passion to come Fastpitch Association) back stronger for the 2021 season. Assistant coaches: Gary Novak, Eric Closser, Lexi 2021 Season Outlook Franek – All first-year coach- I expect us to compete in ing High School Softball every game we play this year. (Combined 20 years Associa- We have a strong and dedi- tion/Club Softball Program cated group of players here Coaching) that have been involved with the program and softball for Key Players years. We are hoping that - Brooke Blaschko – Se- their experience can finally nior (Catcher, SS) Returning “pay itself forward” this sea- 2019 varsity letter winner son. and All-Conference recipi- We will need to play excel- ent. We are really looking for lent defense this season to be Brooke to step in for us this successful, gone are the days season at the catcher position where we rely on Elly Novak leading our team on the field. to get us 15-plus strikeouts She is already a solid hitter per game. We also play in a and is fantastic on the bases very strong Minnesota River for us. Conference against teams - Molly Closser – Junior like Le Sueur and Norwood (3rd, , SS) We expect that typically are in the run- Molly to be a consistent per- ning to win the Conference former for us this season. She title, so we will have to bring is a talented player both de- our best game every night. fensively and offensively that Practice has gone great so plays the game year round. far, the team’s energy, enthu- We will use her toward the Wade Young Photo siasm and hunger to win has top of our lineup and are The TCU Softball Teams practice on Monday at Carol Lilla Fields in Montgomery. been exceeding my expecta- counting on her to be the tions coming into this first leader in our defensive game. week. If we can keep improv- She will also see time on the win a starting position. She’s (Pitcher, 1st, Utility) Ellaina of positions throughout the Moved on ing all year long, and keep mound this season. a great athlete that can do is a returning 2019 varsity year. Ellie Singleton, Sydney our 110 percent “want”, this - Isabelle Factor – Senior some nice things in the field letter winner and will start Sartori, Keilee Westlie, Lil- should be a great season. (Utility) Isabelle is a return- and has the speed for great most of our innings on the Keep Your Eye On: lian Barnes, Cohl Paggen We are focusing on the ing 2019 varsity letter winner . mound this season. She starts Nikaija Young – Senior “controllables” this year with and we are looking for her to - Ellaina Novak – Junior with the most varsity experi- (IF) Nikaija has been work- 2019 Recap and COVID the girls. With the way the ence on our team and is one ing really hard in the off sea- TCU Varsity Softball com- last year has gone, we will of our strongest hitters and son for us and it shows. She pleted its most successful be focusing on what is within also plays year round. I ex- has a strong arm and her bat season in 2019 with an over- their control, which the main pect her to contribute huge will be a solid start for us all record of 14-8 and was ones are attitude and effort. 100 Elm Avenue SW, Montgomery success for us this season throughout the year. seeded #3 in section play. 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Follow the Titans in print in the Montgomery Messenger and on-line at montgomerymnnews.com Montgomery Messenger 310 First Street South, Montgomery | Phone: 507-364-8601 | e-mail: [email protected] Montgomery Messenger, April 8, 2021 • 11 2021 Tri-City United Spring Sports Preview Girls Track: Rebuilding after a lost 2020 season Head coach: Brian Fogal, 13 ago. Hopefully she can build years coaching on that this year. - Yasmin Ruiz went to Assistant coaches: Craig state this year in cross coun- Nordling, Chad Polson, Jim try. This will be her first year Timmerman, Hailey Fogarty in track since she is an eighth grader. Key Players - Erika Kadrlik was our - Lauren Houn - 2019 she top jumper two years ago was in the section finals in and was a key member of our the 400. She is a very good sprint relay teams. sprinter and jumper. - Kathleen Pichotta missed - Josie Plut broke the TCU the past year in cross country one-mile record two years due to injury. She has been a

Wade Young Photo Girls from the TCU track team learn how to pole vault during practice on Monday.

track letter winner since sev- Moved on very difficult for athletes and week of practice. I think it enth grade. With last year being lost to coaches. We had almost 60 will take time to get back in Anabelle Davies has run covid, nearly half our team is athletes registered for track. racing shape after a year off everything from 100 to the brand-new or one-year expe- It would have been our larg- of track. I think we have a lot mile in the past six years. She rience in actual competition. est team in school history. of talent. Most of our girls are also made state this past year Many of those girls chose multisport athletes so they in weightlifting. 2019 Recap and COVID not to go out this year. It was are already in good shape and Two years ago we were tough to see our seniors not ready for the season. Keep Your Eye On very young and inexperi- get a last season. Many of I sense that everyone is ex- Charlotte Houn was in- enced. We were able to get a them had run in the program cited for the season. It will be jured most of 2019. She is lot of girls in a lot of different since seventh grade. great to just get outside and very athletic and can sprint, events. compete again. The lost sea- hurdle, and vault. 2020 Pandemic cancelled 2021 Season Outlook son makes you appreciate the Wade Young Photo Lily Kaplan practices the shot put on Monday. the season last year. It was We had a really good first team and coaches more.

Golf: High school golf returns after hiatus Coaches: Jamie Nelson (sec- Our girls team is made up ond year), Bryce Brunz (fifth of new golfers, but they are Roster year), Phil Campbell (first getting better every day and Seniors: Gabe Robinson, year) All are experienced hope to make some real prog- Tyler Glockner, and Miyu coaches in several sports. ress by the end of the season. Kobayashi. However, we need to stay Juniors: Brady Lehr- Changes due to COVID-19? focused and show up every- fald, Tyler Gaudreau, Ryan Golf is lucky because there day with a positive growth Westerhouse, Reice Na- are no restrictions to play. It mindset. rum, Colton Nelson, Logan will hopefully be a mostly Blaschko, Adam Henze, and normal season. 2021 season outlook Ryan Miller. We have some talented in- Sophomores: Will Trcka, Areas of strength dividuals and a team full of John Urtuzuastegui, Will Wade Young photos We have some returning great attitudes. We hope to Bulger, Jacob Glockner, The girls’ golf team includes (from left) Miyu Kobayashi, Anna Barnett, Kierra Meyer, players, access to a course for grow into a strong team that Marco Reyes, Jake Kroyer, Emma Kaplan, and Abby Rutt. practice everyday, and a posi- might surprise some people Mecca Nightingale, Lloyd tive attitude. by midseason. 2020 was a Watts, Anna Barnett, Kierra Adam Henze is the top re- challenging year because of Meyer, Abby Rutt and Emma turning player. He is a very the uncertainty and ultimate- Kaplan. consistent and intelligent ly the loss of the whole sea- player. son.

Ryan Westerhouse tees off on hole #1 of the Montgomery National Golf Course during practice on Monday, April 5. 12 • Montgomery Messenger, April 8, 2021 2021 Tri-City United Spring Sports Preview Boys track and field: After a year off, boys’ team returns with good numbers Head coach: Craig Nor- many different events, both Our goals for the year are track was when they were dling, fifth year as Head track and field. His leader- to see personal growth and ninth and tenth graders. This Coach, ninth year coaching ship and mentoring of our team success. The coaching year there is added depth in track at TCU; Chad Polson younger athletes will be great staff will be working hard all events which will allow - distance coach eighth year; for our team. with the athletes with goals for us to field a more com- James Timmerman - throws - Torii Cross, senior, of bringing both individuals plete meet roster. coach third year; Don Mar- sprints, . and relay teams to the Sec- With eight returning mem- cussen - pole vault coach - Connor Antony and Aus- tion 2A meet. bers who registered all-time second year; Hailey Fogarty tin Rutt. Both are juniors, dis- Our athletes will have sev- top five marks last year, it - junior high coach first year. tance runners, and captains. en days of practice and then will be exciting to see what Managers: Kyra New- Other runners include Adi- our first meet. As a coaching happens this year. Our tenth man, Madeline Kempenich, an McNamara, Jack Erick- staff, we need to work with graders are coming in with Owen Block, and Kayln son, and Jordan Meyer. our athletes both at practices a solid group of athletes that Krautkremer. - Jordan Meyer, junior, and the meets to help them on were given a chance to run hurdles, Section 2A qualifier the little things. varsity as eighth graders. Changes in 2019 as freshman, cap- Not only did we lose the We are returning with un- Social distancing is a huge tain. Jordan returns after last 2020 season, we have also derclassmen that are return- part of our practice organiza- year’s non-season with the lost some valuable athletes. ing and have many athletes tion. Our goal is to have ev- hope to return to the Section Some of these losses have with the potential to make ery athlete make it through 2A race. come from seniors graduat- it to the Section 2A meet in the season without missing - Dylan Thompson, junior, ing, but other losses are due Mankato. It will be fun to time due to current guide- hurdles/pole vault, captain. to other interests. Athletes watch how the team progress- lines. Dylan returns with the most found other activities to fill es throughout the spring. experience of our pole vault- their time last spring, some We are returning many Areas of strength ers. picked up early summer jobs. athletes with experience.

It looks like we will have The top field athlete will Wade Young Photo We have high school students Most of the events will have good numbers in all events. be Marco Reyes. Rafael Balcazar practices the shot put on Monday. who feel that they need to at least one returning member Our distance runners are Newcomers are Brant work instead of participating from last year’s team. Expe- coming off of a very strong Lemieux, Payton Hennen, area of the field events. Most 2021 season outlook in school activities. As a team rienced members of the team Cross Country season. It will Dante Juberian, and Fak- events have technical compo- Our schedule looks quite we will have our successes allow coaches to move past be interesting to see how ourou Tandia. nents that we have not been different from past seasons. and times to celebrate. It is basic instruction to details that success plays out on the able to work on. From the Guidelines from the MSHSL nice to be back on the track with form and technique. Our track. Areas to work on end of the 2019 season until continue to change, and that with great people. upperclassmen will also be - Jack Erickson, senior, Relays will be an area of now, there have been few op- is expected. Our athletes are Many individuals on the great mentors to the younger hurdles/sprints, captain - focus. There are many young portunities to teach technical practicing with their masks team will contribute heav- runners. Distance runners Jack returns his senior year sprinters who will be com- skills. on. Other than field events, it ily in both field and running are returning after posting a as a two-time captain of the pleting to fill the relay teams. is possible that masks will be events. The last opportunity strong Cross Country season. team. Jack has experience in There is much to do in the worn during running events. these athletes had on the

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